QUINCY, Mass. – The energy was there for a young Linfield team in its season-opening match at the Eastern Nazarene College Tournament on Friday afternoon. But the Wildcats couldn't sustain their early momentum against William Smith College.
 
The Wildcats started out hitting near .400 in the first set with 13 total kills to take the initial win against William Smith in the tournament opener on. The Herons settled into the next few sets offensively and slowly pulled away from the 'Cats to take the four-set victory 18-25, 25-18, 25-22, 25-18.
 
Linfield totaled 35 kills, 30 assists, 56 digs, five blocks and six serving aces. Araeya Watanabe led the Wildcat offense with 14 kills and was the only player to eclipse double digits.
 
Nora Myer and Lexi Correa chipped in five kills each. Claire Johnson stepped into her new role as starting setter role nicely, distributing 26 assists. Defensive standouts were Paige Richards and Myer, who both accounted for 15 or more digs.
 
Following a strong start, the Linfield offense cooled over the ensuing three sets to a hitting percentage of .153. William Smith finished the day at .230.
 
The second through fourth sets put the Herons over the top. William Smith totaled 11 or more kills in the final three sets while Linfield didn't reach higher than nine. Malya Sayre filled the stat sheet for the Herons with 22 kills, three blocks and a .383 hitting percentage. Behind her was Marin Montagne with 11 kills and eight digs.
 
NEXT
The Wildcats return to the floor Saturday with matches against Western New England and host Eastern Nazarene. Following the conclusion of the tournament, Linfield plays in the Oregon Trail Classic Sept. 8-9. Read Full Article